I am making a rule that a doctor can NEVER call you on a Friday and say "Your fasting test is 199 and it appears you are type 2 diabetic" THEN LEAVE ME THE WEEKEND TO WORRY!!!

I took this news fine. But as the weekend went on and I had my sugar highs and lows and now realized it wasn't just a "sinus" problem making me dizzy. And that when I know I have a problem I realize I have about 3 or 4 low sugar episodes a day. So now all I am is worried with no way to check my sugar, no foods here I can safely eat and worries about what will happen. Since it's early I have no idea yet how bad it is. Can diet control it? Do I need pills? Shots?

ok so I had the whole weekend to drive myself insane. I am so sorry but I really needed to vent somewhere. I just hate the not knowing, I hate the not having the tools and info yet to take control of myself. I guess I feel helpless and I hate it. It is really making my sunny disposition kinda crabby I don't like feeling this way.

Did any of you feel this frustrated and kinda nuts when trying to adjust to this info? Or am I really losing my mind?

Wow, what a way to find out you are diabetic, Rhondak! Yes, I had trouble dealing with the news, even though I had been diagnosed as having being "borderline diabetic" about 30 years ago. I don't think they even tell people that anymore. I didn't worry about it much because back then my doctors did not seem too concerened. either. Just said to follow my diabetic food plan. The hardest time for me to adjust was when the doctor finally said, "You ARE diabetic. You are NOT borderline. Either you are diabetic or you are not. There is no borderline. You have to do something to control this or you will be at risk." Even though she told me specifically what I needed to do, it took some time to accept all of it. But I'm thankful I found out. She told me immediately what I needed to do, though. I had to go on medication right away. You will be able to deal with this. But honestly it is a shock to learn!! And it must be frustrating not to have the informaiton that you need. Kathy

Had a CYPHER stent January 5, 2004 after a heart attack. Diagnosed with CAD and CHF. Need to care more about myself and do my exercises, lose weight and eat better. Still the happy grandmother of 4 beautiful grandchildren!

That's really unfortunate that your doctor told you in that manner. Have you considered switchng doctors? If you don't have a strong attachment to that doctor, I would definitely consider it. It doesn't seem to be a very responsible way to inform a patient Is this doctor an endocrinologist? If not, you should look into seeing an endocrinologist - they have the most up-to-date information and can probably recommend a class that you can go to where they can teach you about your diabetes and educate you on how to control it. Good for you for looking for other methods for education since your doctor left you in the dark!!

Actually I went to doctor for somthing else and he was on vacation. His nurse practioner saw me and she noticed in last year I had 2 emergancy room trips and the blood tests showed high glucose readings. She ordered the fasting test. I am glad she caught it but am concerned doctor never did. But she is the one who called me friday and told me. I saw her yesterday and told her I was concerned but she said she didn't want to interfere with doctors patient care so I am to see him tommorrow when he returns to work from his vacation. All in all they aren't showing me much altho I am grateful she noticed the other reports and caught this. I am going to ask for a reffereal to an endocrinologist however. I feel they are better informed to help me. Thanks, Rhonda

Wow Flopsie I think you do know how I feel. I am seeing doc this afternoon and so not sure what he'll have me do. I am hoping we can try controlling it with diet first but I don't know yet. I have been trying to read online diet plans for type 2 and anything else I can but I still feel very confused. I am gonna insist he get me in with dietician imeddiatly just to try to put my mind at ease. I just will feel better when I have the info I need and can begin taking control of this situation. I feel helpless and uninformed right now. I think seeing my father go farther downhill from his diabetes constantly worries me more also. Altho he never took care of himself and I am determined to so hope I can stick to it.Keep in touch we can muddle thru this together as newbies. :)

Just my 2¢ here but you will most likely be on meds, exercise and new food plan to keep your sugars under control. My doc has been changing things around for most of the last year to get my sugars right and it's a bit of a balancing act. Something to learn... whenever your BG is over 150 more than two hours after a meal there is risk of permanent damage to eyes, kidneys and blood vessels. Learning to keep your sugars in line is something you have to really learn, like a new hobbie or skill. It can be overwhelming until you get a class and find a way to check what is causing what. Example: Potatoes, pasta and white rice are just about like candy to my body. I can only have them in small amounts or I get in trouble. Solution: Sweet potatoes (it's a veggie and a starch in one), pasta less often and small portions, brown rice, wild rice and barley instead of white rice. Bagels are too many carbs for one meal. Solution: Use English muffins or frozen waffles to make a breakfast sandwich for better portion control.

Some hints I learned in class... When your sugar is high drink two glasses of water to help your kidneys out. Makes their job easier and keeps your blood a bit thinner (not so syrupy thick). Also, you can do a quick exercise, like going up and down the stairs to help your body use that extra sugar. Exercise enhances the muscles ability to admit sugar to the cells and reduces insulin resistance. If you are put on some meds get a couple of those weekly medicine containers at the dollar store or pharmacy. Fill them with your pills and vitamins for morning and night. Set something as a reminder to take your meds. (I put a quarter in my coffee cup when I take it out of the dishwasher. When I see that coin I remember my morning meds.) Park your car at the far end of the parking lot. Every bit of walking you do helps your BG and your heart.

I use an online tool I found to keep track of my carbs thru the day. It counts calories, carbs, fats and proteins. It also counts fiber. I found it at CalorieKing.com and it was about $15.00 which I thought was very fair since it works on my computer and keeps track for me without too much thinking on my part.

It takes a while to wrap your mind around this thing and sometimes you will feel a bit down. That's when you come here. We are all in the same boat and like to share what works for us so someone else can benefit from our experience. Looking forward to getting to know you better. Hang in there!~ Jeannie

"As one goes through life one learns if you don't paddle your own canoe you don't move." -Katherine Hepburn

rhondak, i feel for you; having been gestationally diabetic with my first, borderline with my third child and ok with the other 2, i was advised i 'should watch it, b/c later in life, this could resurface'; last year, had a blood test ("you're fine, go eat that sundae")..this year, after feeling dizzy, not navigating stairs very well, and going in for carpal tunnel syndrome (which led to blood work), WHAM! guess what...omg...my first though was, just go get the gun now; i cook and bake everyday of my life (and never once thought to avoid "whites"!)..it really is a slam (and the withdrawal from sugar addiction is no day at the beach, either!)..but try to maintain your sense of humor and realize the good things about this...you are kind of forced into eating healthy (not a bad thing), you'll drop excess weight if you carry any, and in my case, my daily headaches are GONE (how could something that tastes so good be so evil??)...my ongoing question is how many carbs per day am i supposed to maintain? i've read posts (elsewhere) where the people are maintaining NO carbs....good lord, let's not get crazy! h202blonde

Well as I posted in another thread on here I went to doc wednesday and he gave me script for meter, lancets and strips I picked those up. He wants me to monitor blood 3 times a day and is giving me 30 days to give him reports on readings. I asked him if I could go back on my low carb diet I had been on before and he said yes but that he also wanted me to see his dietician. I am on first day of diet today and just had my yummy salad lol. I had hoped he would let me try to control bg with diet first and he is so I am grateful for that anyway. I guess I am just gonna stick to low carb and exercise til I see dietician. And no one panic....I eat TONS of veggies a reasonable portion of meat no bread, pasta or potatos, sugar etc... and it is NOT no carb. Just low carb with all the carbs coming from veggies and some fruits (berries mostly for now) so wish me luck and I'll let you all know how this works for me.

i forgot to mention, the md never told me to test my levels, and wants to wait til july to see me again, but the waiting was driving me crazy, so i got the meter, lancets and strips, too...i am amazed that i actually feel quite full, and i know i'm eating much less than usual. i read, too, that exercise assists in the assimilation of glucose into your system, so i guess that's next! best of luck to you, rhondak, and do keep us posted! h202blonde